Nga Weng Chio is an award-winning film and game composer based in Los Angeles. Recently, she received the Harold Arlen Award from the ASCAP Foundation and was nominated for the Game Music Awards at the World Soundtrack Awards. Her recent work includes composing for the game Stormgate in collaboration with Frost Giant Studios, scoring the feature film The Deserving, released on Apple TV, and the TV series The Divination Gossip Club on Viu TV. Epic Lab had the chance to talk with her about her career path, her compositional approach and her views on the future of film music.
1. Can you briefly walk us through your composer career journey and the key experiences that have led you to where you are today?
Thank you for the questions! My journey as a composer began in Macau, where I developed a deep passion for classical music and performance. This foundation was further strengthened at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where I studied music production and composition. My early industry experience as an assistant composer at Shanghai NetEase Games provided a solid understanding of interactive media and game scoring.
I then pursued a Master’s degree in Screen Scoring at the University of Southern California, which was pivotal in shaping my career. The program included extensive hands-on experience, such as recording sessions at world-renowned studios like Warner Bros. and Evergreen Studios, and mentorship from industry leaders like Garry Schyman. These experiences honed my technical and creative skills and expanded my professional network.
Beyond my work in game scoring, I’ve made significant contributions to film music. I’ve scored two feature films and over 30 short films and animations, many of which have been screened at prestigious festivals including The American Pavilion at Cannes, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, and the Montreal International Animation Film Festival. These projects allowed me to explore diverse narratives and refine my ability to enhance storytelling through music.
Recently, I had the honor of serving as the lead composer for the highly anticipated RTS game Stormgate, where I crafted the unique soundscape for the Celestial Armada faction. This role has been a career milestone, showcasing my leadership and creative vision while working alongside seasoned industry veterans. These experiences collectively highlight my versatility as a composer and my ability to lead high-profile projects, establishing myself as a prominent figure in both the game and film scoring industries.
Stormgate, a highly-anticipated RTS game developed by Frost Giant Studios.
2. Can you tell us about a breakthrough project you worked on this year? What was your role, and what impact did it have on your career?
This year, one of the most significant breakthrough projects I worked on was the highly anticipated RTS game Stormgate. As the lead composer, I was responsible for shaping the unique soundscape of the Celestial Armada faction, a high-tech, biomechanical race with a rich narrative and cultural background. This role went beyond composition—it involved music supervision, collaborating closely with the audio director and the development team to ensure the music aligned with the game’s immersive world-building.
To create the faction’s distinct musical identity, I integrated diverse elements, including processed vocals, synthesizers, and rare world instruments like the Xun and the Glass Armonica. The score needed to blend humanity and futuristic technology, reflecting the faction’s dual nature. This required a meticulous process of experimentation, from Bulgarian-style vocal recordings to layering electronic and orchestral textures.
The positive feedback from both the game’s community and industry professionals was immensely rewarding. Stormgate not only showcased my ability to lead a major project but also demonstrated my skill in delivering innovative and impactful music in a highly competitive industry. The soundtrack’s inclusion on the World Soundtrack Awards longlist further solidified its success.
This project was transformative for my career. It helped establish my reputation as a lead composer capable of crafting complex, narrative-driven scores, marking a significant milestone in my journey as an established composer.
Recording at Warner Brothers Studios with Grammy-nominated composer Lolita Ritmanis.
3. How did you first break into the industry, and what steps did you take to gain recognition among established Hollywood composers?
My first job was as orchestration assistant for Penka Kouneva. Penka is an incredible mentor and collaborator; she generously shares her wealth of knowledge on orchestration, and together, we have collaborated on multiple projects such as Overwatch 2 and Diablo IV. I’ve learned so much from her and am truly thankful for everything she has done for me. I vividly recall on the day of my graduation, rushing from the ceremony to a recording session with Steve Jablonsky. There, I had the opportunity to meet the entire music team and learn from them.
Beyond video game scoring and orchestration, I am also deeply engaged in scoring for films, having composed for two features and numerous short films/animations showcased at festivals. I have crafted music for commercials for entities like the Macau Government Tourism Activity Institute, Macau Tai Fung Bank, and General Association of Chinese Students Macau. Before relocating to Los Angeles, I interned at Shanghai NetEase Games as an assistant composer. I’ve also assisted Christopher Young for a while as a substitution for his studio assistant. He was super kind to me and introduced me to Elia Cmiral, the composer of Ronin, and I got to assist him on an upcoming feature.
After that, I joined the orchestration team of Nolan Markey, contributing to orchestration preparation and occasionally attending sessions, working on projects such as League of Legends, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and The Legend of Vox Machina, contributing to various blockbuster franchise. Nolan’s leadership has been truly inspiring. At the same time, I am assisting Mychael Danna with some studio management–I was so honored as he is my all-time favorite composer. A lot has been happening throughout the year I’ve graduated, and I am truly thankful to everyone who has trusted me and given me opportunities.
Frost Giant Studios dinner after Game Developer Conference 2024.
4. With so many talented composers in the industry, what unique elements or approaches do you bring to your compositions to stand out?
Fusing musical elements from a particular culture into a score has always been my vision in composing. I love to combine traditional elements with different modern genres to create a new soundscape that aligns with the storytelling. Coming from Macau, I am hugely influenced by the diverse culture. Since Macau was once a Portuguese colony, there has been a lot of European and Portuguese influence on music and architecture. Besides, Chinese temples, culture, and music are also a huge influence in Macau. Growing up with classical music and Hong Kong pop music, these elements have been a mark in my composition journey, encouraging me to fuse the unfamiliar with the familiar.
In terms of incorporating traditional Asian music elements, I classify it into three different levels. Each of them aligns with the storytelling th with the prompt/vision. The first way I do this is simply using traditional Asian instruments, such as Guqin and Erhu from China and shakuhachi and Shamisen from Japan, etc. to incorporate into the orchestral score. The second way is in terms of musical choice, combining the vertical and horizontal aspects. The vertical aspect is the harmony, and the horizontal is the scale and melody. For example, Chinese music has an entirely different concept of harmony, they do not have a theory for harmony but more on the relationships between notes. There are five pitches, known as the pentatonic scale (gong, shang, jue, zhi, yu) which aligns with the “five elements” in Chinese culture. Through the pentatonic scale, the hexatonic scale and heptatonic scale are derived.
In Western music culture, the tonality and harmony system are different. So, I would combine Chinese melodies in Chinese scales on top of Western harmony, this is one way. Another way is to combine scales and harmonies from different cultures and make it into a new system, as well as using different traditional instruments in the score to add more cultural colors to it. Either way works in terms of incorporating elements or motifs, but it should align with the vision of the story to create a unique music tapestry.
Piano Quartet Performance for Nga Weng Chio’s composition concert.
5. What advice would you give to aspiring composers who are looking to break into the industry?
To aspiring composers, my advice is simple yet profound: stay true to your passion and never underestimate the power of perseverance. This industry can be incredibly challenging, but every step, no matter how small, brings you closer to your dreams.
Start by building a solid foundation in your craft. Study the works of great composers, but don’t be afraid to find your own voice. Embrace your unique background and experiences—they are what make your music stand out. For me, blending the rich cultural heritage of Macau with modern storytelling techniques has been a defining aspect of my journey.
Networking is equally important. Take every opportunity to connect with people, whether at industry events or through online communities. I know how intimidating it can be at first—I used to be an introvert—but stepping out of my comfort zone and reaching out to others opened doors I never thought possible. Remember, behind every opportunity is a person willing to give you a chance if you show genuine passion and dedication.
Most importantly, embrace resilience. There will be times when it feels like progress is slow or opportunities are scarce. In those moments, remind yourself why you started. Out of countless emails or connections, only a few may respond, but it takes just one “yes” to change everything. Stay prepared, stay hungry, and trust that your hard work will pay off.
This path is not just about making music; it’s about telling stories that touch people’s hearts. Keep learning, keep growing, and never lose sight of the impact your music can have on the world.
Red carpet at the Society of Composers & Lyricists dinner.
6. The film scoring landscape is constantly evolving, with new technologies and trends such as electronic music, AI, and hybrid orchestral scores becoming more common. As someone who blends both traditional and modern techniques in your work, what are your thoughts on the future of film scoring?
The future of film scoring excites me deeply because it’s where tradition meets innovation, and I love exploring that balance. Blending orchestral elements with modern techniques has always been a key part of my creative process. When I worked on Stormgate, I used world instruments alongside synthesizers to build a unique soundscape. It was thrilling to see how these different textures could come together to tell a story in a way that felt fresh yet familiar.
I think the rise of AI and hybrid scoring technologies is opening up incredible possibilities. Some may see AI as a threat, but to me, it’s a tool that can help with the more time-consuming aspects of composing, like generating variations or orchestrating drafts. It frees up space to focus on what really matters: creating music that resonates emotionally. No machine can replicate the human connection and intuition that a composer brings to a story. Music is about heart, and that’s something only we can provide.
Looking forward, I’m excited about how these advancements will continue to shape our craft. They push us to experiment and discover new ways to enhance storytelling through music. As a composer, it’s a privilege to be part of this evolving landscape, where I can honor traditional techniques while embracing cutting-edge tools to create something truly unique and impactful.
Nga Weng Chio, thank you for the interview!
Watch Nga Weng Chio talking about the Making of Stormgate’s Celestial Music.
Learn more about Nga Weng Chio on her official website: www.ngawengchio.com
